SallyS
Well-known member
I have managed to survive a frenzy of instrument buying and wanted to offer a bit of info for newbies.
My personal purchases are all required to speak to me - even if for a family member, but I adapt.
Having been in multiple retailers and seen literally hundreds of ukes along the way, there is still no substitute for my eyes and hands. I have seen lousy examples of most brands - and excellent examples of most brands. I have heard sour notes, flat dead boxes, and splitting fretboards. I have seen plenty. I have been asked very stupid questions as well.
This latest wave was for the grandkids, but it resulted in an expansion of my own collection.
I am a Uke beginner, but a guitar oldie. The ear works better than the hands.
I tried plastic, then the uber cheap and continued upwards until my ear heard clarity. Perfection for a six year old is less critical than for some, but the ear sets and it was needed to get a reasonable instrument for the $. From fifty to seventy... Up...
I found some really uncontrolled making, downright sloppy with some makers. Others managed to be neat and still sound awful. The variances were interesting. What I thought was wanted, was not. What I got was right.
We all know that out of several identical makes, we will find a favorite. We all know that we can be surprised if we close our eyes. Sometimes the ʻeyesʻ have it.
I found brands that I wonʻt touch. I found that if you seek perfection - you will pay. Nope, not surprised.
In the past few weeks I bought four Sopranos, a tenor 8 and a Concert, none identical and all sweet. This could have been a hot mess.
It paid off that I did not blindly go to a drop shipper and I highly suggest doing same.
My personal purchases are all required to speak to me - even if for a family member, but I adapt.
Having been in multiple retailers and seen literally hundreds of ukes along the way, there is still no substitute for my eyes and hands. I have seen lousy examples of most brands - and excellent examples of most brands. I have heard sour notes, flat dead boxes, and splitting fretboards. I have seen plenty. I have been asked very stupid questions as well.
This latest wave was for the grandkids, but it resulted in an expansion of my own collection.
I am a Uke beginner, but a guitar oldie. The ear works better than the hands.
I tried plastic, then the uber cheap and continued upwards until my ear heard clarity. Perfection for a six year old is less critical than for some, but the ear sets and it was needed to get a reasonable instrument for the $. From fifty to seventy... Up...
I found some really uncontrolled making, downright sloppy with some makers. Others managed to be neat and still sound awful. The variances were interesting. What I thought was wanted, was not. What I got was right.
We all know that out of several identical makes, we will find a favorite. We all know that we can be surprised if we close our eyes. Sometimes the ʻeyesʻ have it.
I found brands that I wonʻt touch. I found that if you seek perfection - you will pay. Nope, not surprised.
In the past few weeks I bought four Sopranos, a tenor 8 and a Concert, none identical and all sweet. This could have been a hot mess.
It paid off that I did not blindly go to a drop shipper and I highly suggest doing same.
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